Has anyone here used dental sedation?

[hamsterjill]

And if so, what was your experience, please?

I broke a large filling in a tooth over the weekend. I'm not in pain...yet, at least. See the dentist tomorrow, but I'm a real dental phobe. I am considering using sedation at the visit - the one pill type. Has anyone else done this, and if so, was your experience positive or negative?

I've never done this type of sedation before and have had a lot of dental work, but I have a high level of anxiety about dental visits. If the sedation really helps, I think I want to try it. And yes, I know that I'll need someone to drive me home after the visit if I choose to use the sedation.

Thanks in advance for any input!

[NightWatcher]

1. I prefer gas. Novacaine does not work on me, so the last time I needed extra work, I got gassed

It was great. I felt like I had a slight beer buzz but I could feel no pain in the chair. They did everything the needed to and I didn't give a shit. I had to stay in the waiting for 30 minutes after I was done (to come down) and there were no other side effects.

Some places offer nitrous for regular cleaning as well if you tell them that you have dental anxiety

[hamsterjill]

3. Thanks.

Yes. I'm actually going to a new dentist tomorrow. I had a frustrating experience with my previous one the last time I had work done, and I don't want to repeat THAT anxiety.

The new place offers nitrous as well as the "one pill" sedation. I'll probably be fine without anything, but if there's really no down side, I don't see why not try it. If it helps with the anxiety, I'd be all for that.

[onehandle]

2. I'm a sedation-phobe.

I've had plenty of dental work, fillings, wisdom teeth removed, root canals. None with sedation.

I tell them in advance to numb me up well. Never had any pain during a procedure.

[hamsterjill]

4. I've done that, as well.

But I find that the older I get and the more work that I've had done, the more I dread it!

Thanks for the input.

[onehandle]

5. I understand.

The first sedation since I was a kid (tonsils) was for my first colonoscopy recently.

I counted backwards from ten and I think I only got to seven.

Woke up with a nurse holding a tray with orange juice and animal crackers.

There is a certain appeal in missing what was in-between.

[Skittles]

10. same here, except my dentist prescribed a valium for a dental implant

he made me have someone drive me and pick me up though

[Hoyt]

6. I like the gas. It's actually kind of fun. When it's over, you recover quickly, unlike a pill.

They might charge you extra for it, but it sure makes lengthy dental work tolerable, heck almost pleasurable.

I could see myself walking around with a tank of that stuff on my back -- A few deep breaths when I feel anxious, a right winger annoys me, or I hear some good music.

Good luck.

[Archae]

7. I had it done when my wisdom teeth were pulled.

Felt a little giddy, next thing I knew I was being instructed how to keep gauze on the areas.

It is expensive though, cost me over $100.

[The Second Stone]

8. Meditate

and transend dental medication.

Seriously dude, get some drugs.

[onecent]

9. I have a high level of anxiety during dental visits also. Not all dentists

will give sedation for just a filling so check first. I believe mine would if I barked enough. However he is very happy to sedate you for a root canal or worse.

He uses novacaine on me which I do not mind (I don't mind needles) and if I use gas, I finally figured out I HAVE to tell the girl giving me the gas to UP THE GAS because otherwise it doesn't do ANYTHING....and she is more than happy to do so. That did help to my surprise.

For anxiety YES SEDATION is the way to go..but you are pretty groggy afterwards and a friend will have to drive you home and you will pretty much sleep for several hours.

Good luck.

[kath]

11. My daughter is quite dental-phobic. She gets so anxious she tends to vomit, which th dentists don't

Exactly appreciate
Two visits ago she took some of my sister's Klonopin beforehand and did great. Think she may have had nitrous oxide also, not sure.
Last visit, with a new dentist in her college town, he prescribed a valium for her to take before visit. she did well again.
Both visits were for fillings.

[RebelOne]

12. I have had any kind of dental sedation you can imagine.

I have had a few extractions, dental surgeries, you name it. Gas is the best though.

[LeftofObama]

13. I had sedation for gum surgery.

I didn't feel a thing, but then I'm one of those wierdos that likes going to the dentist. They gave me a pill about a half hour before the surgery and I sat there waiting for it to take effect. After a few more minutes they gave me another half of a pill and I was good to go. Just take someone with you who can drive.

[Laffy Kat]

14. Ask for N.O. Piece of cake!

Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is the best. It's a dissociative anesthesia. They will still numb you up, but the N.O. will take you to a happy place. I love it. I'm always disappointed when the oral surgeon says, "party's over" and starts weaning me off. Costs about $75 - $100 and insurance won't usually cover it, but it's worth it, IMO.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

15. is this like versed for conscious sedation? I had that when I dislocated my elbow

and they did the reduction to put it back in place. I have absolutely no memory of it whatsoever.

[csziggy]

16. I've used gas, the one pill, and liked both

When I have to get teeth pulled, I don't want to be there - so the dentist knocked me completely out. Not sure what he used. I was so stressed, he gave me something to take the evening before. I had a very bad experience with having my wisdom teeth out so was freaked about getting another tooth pulled.

For my most recent dental procedures, they used gas. I was awake during the whole thing but not stressed. Woke up quickly, few after effects.

Most dentists are happy to use what will make the experience less painful and less stressful. If the dentist does not seem to care - get a different dentist!